John Calvin Commentary Exodus 39

And of the blue, and purple, and scarlet. The description of the priestly garments, which is repeated in this chapter, is more accurate than it would have been if he had been speaking of some unimportant matter. And assuredly, since Christ was vividly represented in the person of the high priest, this was a most important part of the service of the Law.

We have elsewhere set forth how far it was from being an empty pomp, such as when papal sacrificers today, in order to acquire dignity, dazzle the eyes of the simple with the splendor of their vestments and their magnificent regalia. Rather, its purpose was to place before people's eyes all that faith ought to consider in Jesus Christ.

We have especially seen what great mysteries were contained in the miter, which was Holiness to the Lord, and in the ephod. In the ephod, the light of truth and integrity of life shone forth, and it contained the symbols of the ten tribes. Thus, the priest bore the people itself upon his shoulders and before his breast, so that in one person all might be presented intimately before God.

For this reason, he repeats seven times the clause, as the Lord commanded Moses; which certainly has the effect of awakening attention.

Thus was all the work of the tabernacle. A brief summary is now appended, by which he indicates that there was not the slightest defect in any part, and also declares that the children of Israel had so obeyed God’s commands that the work itself did not vary in any respect from its pattern.

“The children of Israel,” he says, “did according to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so did they;” From this, we gather that no part of the building was compromised by any foreign element.

Afterward, it is added that the tabernacle, with its utensils and furniture, was brought before Moses, and that all things were approved by his judgment. For he is said to have “blessed them,” because they had properly and faithfully obeyed God’s command.

This, however, was not a simple prayer, like that of a private individual. Instead, it was a promise of reward that could awaken confidence in the minds of the people, when they heard from the mouth of this excellent and unimpeachable witness (speaking as such a Prophet) that their labor was pleasing to God.